Luke 4: Temptation of Jesus and His Mission

Luke 4: Temptation of Jesus 

v1-15 :  Jesus tempted by the Devil

After His baptism, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was filled with the Holy Spirit and was led into the wilderness. He was tempted for forty days by the devil, and he fasted all that time. (v1-2)

The devil knows He is hungry, and challenged him to convert the stone to bread, since He said He is the son of God. Jesus replied "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone.'"  (Deut 8:3)

Then the devil took him up a high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time and told him that if He worship him, he will give all the kingdoms' authority and glory. In order to Jesus to see all the kingdoms, it must be a supernatural phenomena, such as a vision. 

Satan is the ruler of the world (John 12:31) and has the authority to give the kingdoms to Jesus. Satan knows Jesus wants all the nations to be saved, but He must go through suffering and crucifixion. Satan is offering a short cut to have all the nations, but He must worship him first. 

Jesus responded: "It is written: 'You shall worship the Lord your God'".  (Deut 6:13)

Lastly the devil brought him to Jerusalem and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple and told Him to jump from there, since it was written in the scripture that "He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you", and "in their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone." (v9-11) Satan knows the scripture (Psalm 91:11-12) and used it to temp Jesus. He knows that Jesus wants people to believe that He is the Messiah. If Jesus was saved by the angels, then more people will believe. 

However, Jesus knows not to follow one scripture and violate another. He replied: "“It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” (Deut 6:16)

There must be more than just 3 temptations in the forty days, but Jesus did not give in to the devil. (v3-v13). 

Jesus returned with the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news about Him went out to the surrounding regions. He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. (v14-15)

Observation

One of Satan's method of tempting someone is by using sinless things he wants, but give him a short cut or make him compromise on the method to get it. What you want may not be sinful, but the way you obtained it could be. For example, there is nothing wrong to work and make money. But temptation may come for you to bribe in order get more money, thus satisfying your sinful greed. It is not wrong to be successful, but we may be tempted to cheat or lie, which are sins. We should do what Jesus did, we cannot follow one scripture by breaking another one. 

v16-30: Jesus in Nazareth (parallel: Mark 6:1-6)

As a common culture, Jesus went to the synagogue of Nazareth and to read a passage to expound on them. He was handed a scroll of Isaiah (Isaiah 61:1–2):

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me

a) To preach the gospel to the poor; - Jesus came to bring hope, salvation, and spiritual riches to those who are spiritually impoverished. 

b) To heal the brokenhearted,

c) To proclaim liberty to the captives - Jesus offers freedom from sin, bondage, and captivity.

d) And recovery of sight to the blind, - Jesus heals not only physical blindness but also spiritual blindness.

e) To set at liberty those who are oppressed; - Jesus provides release from oppression, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual.

f) To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” -This refers to the Jubilee, a time of restoration and forgiveness in Jewish tradition.

As an application to reach out to people in (a) to (e), we need to "go" to them. To go to them, we need to "seek" them out. We need to go to them where they are. We need to develop compassion, as what Jesus shows to them. God is seeking them in slums and in forest, and wants us to go to them.  "None should perish" is the heart cry of God. 

After reading and returning the Isaiah's scroll, Jesus said "Today, this Scripture if fulfilled in your hearing." (v16-21)  

The people was shocked, for they knew what he was saying - Jesus identifies Himself as the Messiah (the Anointed One) prophesied by Isaiah. Jesus declares that these words are fulfilled in Him. In other words, He is the embodiment of the promised deliverance and restoration.

They were not only appalled, but two immediate doubts or disbelief came to them: (v22)

a) He was a local boy - “Jesus is the son of the local carpenter; He’s common, like us. I know his father before his death, and his mother, Mary. I saw him playing with my kids when he was young. Where does He get the idea that He’s something special? The Messiah will not be a tradesman!”

b) He doesn't look like a warrior - "He looks skinny and had never been in a fight. How will he lead an army to free us from the Romans? He is supposed to be the Lion of Judah, but he looks like a lamb!"

Jesus saw their looks, and knew that they can't believe what He said. He also knows they are asking for evidence from Him for his claim to be a prophet and Messiah, which is traditionally the case to prove if someone calls himself a prophet or messiah. The person must make a prediction and the prediction must happen - else he will be killed. 

Jesus knows they have heard of his miracle that happened in Capernaum. (v23.) Matthew 4:12-17 explained that Jesus left his home town and went to live at Capernaum, and this is before Jesus came to Nazareth to preach.

Jesus knew that they will quote the proverb "Physician,  heal yourself", meaning that they had heard what he did a Capernaum, therefore he should also do miracles here in His hometown as well. Jesus reminded them events in the life of Elijah and Elisha to did miracles for the Gentiles. Jesus did not want do a miracle in Nazareth, for "no prophet is acceptable in his hometown." (v23-27)

The people were angry at him  for what he said, that they wanted to kill him by throwing Him off the cliff. But Jesus just walk through their mist and went away. (v38-30)

Observation: What did Jesus said to draw so much wrath from the synagogue attendees?  

a) He refused to perform a miracle. 

However, Jesus is saying, even if he perform a miracle, he will never be accepted by those in his own country. By refusing to prove Himself to be the Messiah, He was accused of lying and pretending to be the Messiah.  

b) He said a prophet is not welcomed in his hometown. This may bring back the history of them torturing their own prophets like Jeremiah and Zechariah.* He also called himself a prophet - but they know him and his family, and  at this point he hasn't shown them any miracles yet. 

In Jewish tradition, blasphemy refers to speaking irreverently or disrespectfully about God, sacred things, or religious figures. Claiming to be a prophet without divine authorization would fall under this category, and has the penalty of death.

In Deuteronomy 13:5a, it says "That prophet or dreamer must be put to death, because he has urged rebellion against the Lord your God"

In Deuteronomy 18:20, it states: “But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.” In practice, the Sanhedrin (the Jewish council) would evaluate prophetic claims. If someone was found to be a false prophet, they would be rejected

Jesus won't do miracles if there is no faith. (Mark 6:5-6)

c) He Gentiles Are More worthy. Jesus further aggravates the situation by comparing the people of Nazareth to Gentiles. He cites examples from the days of Elijah and Elisha when God’s favor extended to non-Jewish individuals: a Sidonian widow and a leprous Syrian commander. Essentially, Jesus suggests that these Gentiles were more worthy of God’s attention than his fellow Jews. This would have been a significant blow to their nationalistic pride.

v31-44  Jesus the Healer

Jesus went back to Capernaum, and continued teaching there and they were astonished at Him as he spoke with authority. This is opposite of what He received in Nazareth. (v31-32)

There was a man possessed by unclean spirit, who told Jesus in public: "I know who you are - the Holy One of God."  Jesus rebuked him and the demon threw him down on the floor and came out of him. The person was unharmed. The people were amazed that He has the authority and power to cast out demons, and they spread the news every where. (v33-37)

Thereafter Jesus went to Simon's house. Simon's mother-in-law was ill with high fever, but Jesus rebuked the fever and it left her. She cooked the lunch and serve them. (v38-39)

Many others came before the sun, and Jesus healed every disease. Demons also came out of many, and called Him the Son of God, but Jesus would not allow them to speak, for they know He is the Christ. (v40-41)

The next day, he departed and went to a desolate place, but people still followed him and would not allow Him to go. Jesus told them that his main purpose is to preach the good news of the kingdom of God to other towns as well. If Jesus was stuck in healing people only, then he will be giving up his main goal - to preach and to teach about the gift of the kingdom of heaven.

Then Jesus proceeded to preach at the synagogues of Judea. (v42-44)

Observation

Jesus has been seen to tell people, and also the demons. not to tell others that He is the Messiah, the Son of God. He knew that if too many people believe it, they will likely start a rebellion against the Romans, or they will prevent Him from getting caught and being crucified. At that time, the Jews believe that the Messiah is the one who will lead them against the Romans. So Jesus need to manage these reactions to make sure his crucifixion will successfully happen. 

Appendix

1. Prophets that were tortured and killed by their own men:

a) Isaiah: Tradition suggests that Isaiah was martyred by King Manasseh, son of Hezekiah.

According to this tradition, Isaiah was tied inside a sack, placed within the hollow of a tree trunk, and then sawed in two1.

b) Zechariah: Zechariah was slain in the temple by Joash, King of Judah. (2 Chronicles 24:20-22).

c) Jeremiah: known as the weeping prophet, faced immense opposition. He was stoned to death in Egypt by Jews living there. (Jeremiah 43:6).

d) Ezekiel: Ezekiel, another prophet, was slain in Chaldea by the chief Jew living there.

e) Habakkuk: Habakkuk was stoned to death in Jerusalem by Jews.

2. Jerusalem who kills their own prophet

In Matthew 23:37, Jesus laments over Jerusalem, saying, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!"

3. One More Miracle

Despite Jesus publicly demonstrating supernatural power, critics often challenged Him to perform "one more," at their command, to prove His message (John 2:18; 6:30; Mark 8:11; Luke 11:16). Even today, such requests are generally insincere. Those who say, "God must prove Himself with a miracle," will explain away whatever miracles they might see (Luke 11:15). Ignoring what's obvious and demanding something more is a sign of stubbornness (Romans 1:18–20; John 5:39–40). It's not surprising that both God the Father and God the Son typically decline such demands (Matthew 16:4).

4. Miracles in Capernaum

In Capernaum, Jesus performed several remarkable miracles -

a) Healing of the Noble Man's Son (John 4:46-54)

Jesus healed the nobleman’s son in Capernaum from Cana. The nobleman pleaded with Jesus to come and heal his son in Capernaum, but Jesus assured him that his son would live. The nobleman believed Jesus, and his son was healed. The noble man and his family believed. 

b) Healing Peter’s Mother-in-Law (Mark 1:30–31):

After leaving the synagogue, Jesus went to the home of Simon (Peter). There, Peter’s mother-in-law was gravely ill with a high fever.

Jesus took her by the hand, raised her up, and instantly she was healed. She began to serve Jesus and His disciples, perhaps even preparing a meal for them1.

c) Healing the Sick and Demon-Possessed: (Matthew 8:14–17)

As evening approached, people from all over Capernaum brought their sick to Peter’s house. The whole city seemed to gather at the door, seeking healing.

Jesus laid His hands on each person, curing them of various diseases. He even freed those who were demon-possessed. The wicked spirits recognized Him as the Son of God, but Jesus silenced them.

d) Healing of Centurion's son. (Matthew 8:5–13):

In Capernaum, Jesus healed the centurion’s son. The centurion’s faith impressed Jesus, who declared that the son would be healed, even from a distance.

e) Healed a Paralyzed Man. (Matthew 9:1–2):

Jesus forgave and healed a paralyzed man in Capernaum. The man’s sins were forgiven, and then Jesus healed his physical condition, demonstrating God’s grace and authority.